Alternative Breaks Program

The Alternative Breaks Program at Miami Dade College engages students to become active citizens through direct service, education and reflection while creating social change in our communities. The purpose of the program is to skip the typical "spring break" and go on a one week service trip instead. Alternative Breaks is a service-oriented program. It was started by students and it is completely run by the students, with the guidance of the Institute for Civic Engagement and Democracy.

Last year, the MDC AB program went to "Give Kids the World" in Orlando, an organization committed to serving children that suffer life-threatening diseases. The theme park-organization is completely run by volunteers and is free of charge for the children and their families to come and enjoy the time at GKTW and also the nearby attractions.

The trip was a great success and there were over 12 students that participated. Participants' tasks included a variety of activities such as operating a carousel, driving a train around the premises, and delivering breakfast on a golf-cart to the families at their living quarters.

The MDC AB Program bases their trips on specific social issues. Last year it was children's health. However, other social issues include but are not limited to environmental sustainability, immigrant rights, homelessness and poverty, hunger and education. If you are passionate about a certain social issue, this program might be for you since it will provide the opportunity to learn more about ways in which you can contribute to the community.

For this upcoming year, the Alternative Breaks program will be hosting three trips in which there will be a minimum of 15 participants for each site.

To be a part of the Alternative Breaks program, there are three different options:

1. Steering Committee Application

Helps organize the trips and fundraisers

Involved in the selection of the locations

Three different positions available

Public Relations Coordinator

Finance Coordinator

Campus Representative

2. Site Leader Application

Since there will be three trips going on simultaneously, a site leader is in charge of one of the trips and the participants that go on that trip

The site leader will have to make sure that the participants are knowledgeable on the social issue that their trip will consist of

Miami Dade College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate and baccalaureate degrees.
Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Miami Dade College.
Miami Dade College is an equal access/equal opportunity institution and does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, marital status, age, religion, national origin,
disability, veteran’s status, sexual orientation, or genetic information. Contact the Office of Equal Opportunity Programs/ADA Coordinator, at 305.237.2577 for information.